Modi to visit Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan

NEW DELHI, Aug 4: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan later this month at a time when Central Asia has emerged as one of the world's most strategically contested regions. China has spent years expanding its footprint through the Belt and Road Initiative, while Russia continues to view the region as part of its traditional sphere of influence. India, too, is seeking a larger role, making the visit strategically significant.
The visit has two distinct legs. The Kyrgyzstan stop will revolve around the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, with bilateral meetings expected on the sidelines. Uzbekistan, meanwhile, will host a full-fledged bilateral visit focused on trade, defence cooperation, connectivity and investment.
The timing reflects multiple strategic realities. The changing security landscape following developments in Afghanistan, China's expanding influence across Central Asia and India's own ambition to strengthen its economic and strategic footprint have together elevated the region's importance in New Delhi's foreign policy.
Confirmation of the Uzbekistan visit came this week during the visit of Uzbek Foreign Minister BakhtiyorSaidov to New Delhi, where he held talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and paid a courtesy call on President DroupadiMurmu. Speaking after the meetings, Saidov said preparations for the Prime Minister's visit were underway and expressed confidence that it would further deepen bilateral ties, signalling that both countries are preparing to expand cooperation beyond the steady progress made over the past decade.�"NDTV